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I won’t give up, though.
Even if they don’t listen to me now, I’ll continue to monitor, protect, and fight for what’s ours. I know the simple fact - I am the guardian, the shield against unseen enemies.
As the hours' tick by, I watch the unrelenting tide of failed login attempts. The threat looms over us like a dark cloud waiting to unleash its fury.
No matter what they say or how they dismiss my concerns, I know that the empire can come crashing down in one swift swoop.
Since no one is helping, and I’m not permitted to take action without cause, I do the bare minimum I can’t be chided for.
I install a black hat IP tracker, leading me to the location of anyone hacking into our wallet. That is if they succeed.
I go home. Alone again, but this time because I’m mad at Felix for not having my back in there.
Chapter 15
FELIX
WhenEmilywalksin,I’m sitting at my desk, carefully looking over the latest shipment routes.
“You’re home late,” I assess. “Now, I swear you’re avoiding me.”
“Why didn’t you back me up in there?” she attacks like a lioness on the prowl.
I put away my papers and fold my hands before me, watching her. “What do you mean?” I ask, confused.
“In the operations room, I told everyone about the unattempted login attempts. You didn’t believe or support me. You made me look like a fool,” she gritted her teeth.
“I didn’t make you look like anything, Emily. I simply stated the truth. We have layers of security; it’s unlikely anyone could breach our defenses,” I explain calmly.
“But it’s not impossible,” she counters, her voice rising.
“Even if it was, you should have had my back. As you've repeatedly told me, I’m part of this family now, and I protect our interests. You should trust me, respect me.”
I stand up, towering over her small frame.
“I do respect you, Emily. And I trust you, but you need to understand that I must consider all angles and possibilities. It’s my job to be skeptical, to assess the risks. That’s what makes me a good leader, a trustworthy leader.”
Emily’s eyes narrow, and she steps closer to me, ignoring the distance I’ve put between us. “You don’t trust me,” she accuses. “You see me as a liability, a distraction.”
“You’re not a liability, Emily,” I say, exasperated.
“You’re an integral part of this family. But you have to understand that trust is earned, not given freely. You must prove yourself and build a track record of success.”
Her eyes widen, and she takes a step back, hurt. “What do I have to do to earn your trust, Felix?” she asks, her voice laced with desperation.
“It’s not my trust you need to earn. You have my trust. It’s just that ...” I tread lightly, not knowing how much I can divulge.
“The rest of the team is a little wary of you, and they believe I show you some form of favoritism. Look, Emily, everyone on that team said it wasn’t a problem. You must understand. I must show them they haven’t been side-
lined because they’ll only make life hell for you if I don't.”
Emily looks down, her shoulders slumping. “I understand,” she whispers.
“I’ll work harder and prove myself to the team.”
I want to reach out and hold her, but I refrain.
“You don’t have to prove anything to anyone, Emily. Just continue doing what you’re doing. Be the best at what you do, and the rest will follow. If they don’t, I’ve got your back.”
